World news story

London’s Lord Mayor looks to build financial ties with Taiwan

The Lord Mayor of the City of London, Jeffrey Mountevans, is leading a business delegation to Taiwan

Lord Mayor of the City of London

The Lord Mayor of the City of London, Jeffrey Mountevans, is leading a business delegation to Taiwan on 11-12 July, selling the City of London and the UK as the regional partner of choice when it comes to financial and professional services.

The Lord Mayor acts as ambassador for the UK’s financial and professional services, and will be meeting with senior members of the government, investment authorities, regulators and business leaders. The Lord Mayor will visit the cities of Taipei and Kaohsiung.

Other notable events he takes part in include:

  • Meeting with the President of Taiwan to promote UK-Taiwan commercial relationships
  • Meeting with the Deputy Mayor of Taipei Chin-Jun Chen helping to identify business opportunities
  • Updating major British financial services companies on the business climate in the UK, including ‘Brexit’
  • Discussing financial regulation with the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank
  • Discussing investment opportunities with Taiwanese financial services companies already based or considering locating in the UK
  • Giving the opening remarks for a Fintech Seminar organised by Business Weekly and visiting Cathay Union Bank KOKO Store
  • Meeting with Deputy Chairman of the Financial Supervisory Commission to discuss the development of Taiwan’s financial services sector
  • Meeting the Mayor of Kaohsiung and touring CSBC’s shipyard facility

Speaking of his trip, Lord Mayor Jeffrey Mountevans said:

“Building partnership between the UK and Taiwan is the main goal of my visit this week. I want to make sure that the City of London and the rest of the UK are Taiwan’s first thought when they want to do business.

“My visit comes at an important time for the United Kingdom. After we announced our intention to leave the EU, I want to reassure the authorities and businesses of Taiwan that as a country we will remain an attractive commercial partner, with a great business environment, talented staff and wealth of economic opportunities. We are still very much open for business and I will reiterate this point during my meetings and speeches in the coming days.”

Notes to editors

About the Lord Mayor of the City of London

  • The Lord Mayor is head of the Square Mile’s City of London authority for one year and the position is unpaid and apolitical. It is an exceptionally demanding role. The Lord Mayor spends some 90 days abroad and addresses some 10,000 people face-to-face each month (making around 800 speeches a year).

  • The Lord Mayor represents City businesses and helps the City Corporation advise the Government of the day on what is needed to help the financial services sector to function well. The Lord Mayor frequently travels to represent the City; and travels overseas with the status of a Cabinet Minister.

  • The Lord Mayor meets several international Heads of Government and Business each month to discuss financial services, often in conjunction with senior City business representatives. The Lord Mayor lives in the Mansion House for the Mayoral year.

Published 11 July 2016